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Regular tag vs Special tag

With the non resident applications approaching I have one question that i can't seem to find an answer to...
Does the "special", more expensive, tag have any added odds value on your second choice? For example, last year I had 4 points but since my son was deployed I didn't want to burn them so applied for a very hard-to-draw unit as my 1st choice and an easier to draw unit for my 2nd choice. I bought the 'special' tag but was unsuccessful on drawing.
This year I have 5 points but am uncertain at this point if my marine son (who also has 5 points) will again be able to get leave so may be in the same situation. If the more expensive tag has no value in second choice then I'll forgo the expense. Thanks for any insight...

You should research the areas that may have tags leftover from the 1st draw on the special tag (more tags than first choice applicants), then apply for that area on the second choice. If all of the tags allocated for any particular area in the special draw are issued in the 1st draw, then there will be 0 tags available for the second draw.

I think you're pretty much on the right track. The ONLY difference between the regular and special tag is the price. Typically the special tag has better drawing odds because of that. 2 years ago we drew an antelope tag as a 2nd choice with the special tag so that we could accumulate a preference point. This would not have been possible with the regular tag.

The special tag definitely has "value" as it allows you to draw a lot more tags as a 2nd choice. To determine if you could have drawn a tag as a 2nd choice in years past, go to the draw odds section on the WY site and look at the random draw, special license and look under 2nd choice. Like libidialtimmy said, there have to be tags available after the first drawing is done (both preference point and random draw) for you to draw that 2nd choice.

You should have a better chance drawing 2nd choice in the special draw. The way I understand it is X amount of tags in the regular draw and X amount in the special draw. I think they split it 60/40? The 2nd choice special draw is done before the 2nd choice regular draw and as long as there were tags left after the 1st choice draw you have a chance at drawing. Look at the drawing stats for the areas you are interested in. Sometimes the regular draw can have better odds then the special draw but usually the special draw has better odds. It all depends on how many apps are in each draw.

Thanks to all who responded. From what I've garnered, it does help to continue to use the special draw option even if going for my second choice. I know last year the quotas were cut because of the drought (and we're dry so far this winter in NE Oregon) but I hope the moisture both there and here picks up by spring...

Its raining here today finally! If you just want to hunt antelope there are quite a few units you can draw 2nd choice in the regular draw. They will have access issues but if you do your research you can have a good hunt in many of them. The special draw is alot of money for a 2nd choice tag IMO.

Sometimes the regular draw can have better odds then the special draw but usually the special draw has better odds. It all depends on how many apps are in each draw.

This is correct. At times enough people gamble that the "Special" adds are better enough that lots of people apply, and then the odds can, in fact, be worse (or the same). It all depends on how many people apply for each tag. The best way to research it (that I have found) is to look on the WY Game and FIsh website, locate the the draw odds page and you will be able to see multiple years. Check out what the trend has been over the last few years. Also, just reading and checking out forums and talking to people, kind of gives you an idea what the application trends are for certain units.

Still... you generally have a better chance in the "Special". And it seems to me that it is usually about 1 year ahead in the draw.

Generally the special draw does have better odds but I have come across a few units while I was doing research that had better odds in the regular draw. I agree with studying the trend for the last few years. Things can change a bit from year to year but it will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Generally the special draw does have better odds but I have come across a few units while I was doing research that had better odds in the regular draw. I agree with studying the trend for the last few years. Things can change a bit from year to year but it will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Yea, I learned that the hard way. Back in the 90's I put in for an elk hunt in NW Wyoming for 3 straight years, in the special no less, and NEVER DREW... until I finally realized those tags were available in the LEFT OVER! All because it was a unit that residents could hunt in the general region tag (5 days later start) and the resident tags would go undersubscribed, resulting in "left overs" after the draw... Soooo there is a lot of research that goes in to these hunts...